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Catch up with all the latest news from across the county with Chloe Brewster.
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00:34Hello and welcome to Kent Tonight live on KMTV. I'm Chloe Brewster with your top stories on Tuesday the 20th
00:40of October. My home is destroyed. £10,000 raised for Maidstone family who lost everything in a fire.
00:48That's literally my room right there, the one up there. Yeah, all my belongings were in there.
00:55Here to help, RSPCA opens Medway Clinic to support owners on lower incomes and benefits.
01:02With us helping with the costs, we can then keep those animals at home in loving homes.
01:09From grief to joy, the Margate shop celebrating retro trinkets and individuality.
01:15Don't want Sally to make a memory or remind you of a memory.
01:30A family in Allington have been devastated by a house fire.
01:34Brothers Eni and Boller have been speaking to KMTV about the fire that engulfed their home on Monday morning.
01:40It started in their tumble dryer before it spread across the entire house.
01:45A warning, this report contains flashing lights. Justine Latter reports.
01:51Memories, conversations and laughs, all gone in an instant.
01:56As you walk down Kiln Down Close in Allington, the smell of smoke lingers.
02:01For this family, their home has been destroyed by a fast-spreading fire.
02:06In the early hours of Monday morning, brothers Eni and Boller, along with the rest of their family,
02:13evacuated their home and watched it burn.
02:16I would say 1, I think it was around 1.15, 1.20.
02:21I was about to go to sleep and then I heard an alarm going off.
02:23So I kind of rushed downstairs to investigate where the smoke was coming from.
02:26And that's when I discovered that it was coming from the utility room.
02:29And it was specifically the tumble dryer.
02:32Like the fan inside of the tumble dryer was essentially spinning fire.
02:35In the space door, he got everybody out of the house.
02:37And he went back.
02:39The entire room was on fire at that point.
02:42So the fire spread quickly.
02:43For Eni, it's not just material things that are gone.
02:47It's very special memories too.
02:50I lost my dad when I was 1.
02:52So I haven't really got much memories of him.
02:56I'm 26.
02:57He died in 2,000, 1.
02:59So the only kind of pictures I have of him were physical.
03:05What a memory of them were physical.
03:06And kind of knowing that they're all gone now.
03:09It's like, yeah.
03:11Although the family here are struggling to come to terms with the fact that all of their belongings and their
03:18memories are gone,
03:19they're trying to remain positive.
03:21The soul that was in that house between all of us, my siblings, my mum, all the conversations that we
03:28used to have,
03:29all of the laughs that we had in that house, it's not forgotten because it still holds refuge within our
03:35hearts.
03:35The family are incredibly grateful to the public, with a GoFundMe for them already having raised over £10,000 within
03:4448 hours.
03:45It's been unbelievable the amount of people that I've actually supported, like, strangers that I probably won't even ever meet,
03:52you know.
03:53And from the bottom of my heart, I'm really, really grateful.
03:56It's really, really touching.
03:59But it's just so special to see that people that you've never met from all over the world are able
04:06to kind of come together and support,
04:08which is, yeah, like I said, it's touching.
04:09And I do appreciate it.
04:11With these donations, this family are determined to rebuild their future.
04:17Justine Larta for KMTV in Arlington.
04:21Well, Kemp Fire and Rescue Service have launched an investigation into the cause of the fire.
04:26Now, a sitting-born man who raped two teenage girls has been put behind bars for 17 years.
04:32Kieran Chadwick Tattersall targeted the victims in 2024, when they were both 15 years old.
04:38The court heard that the 34-year-old registered sex offender started talking to both the girls over social media,
04:44where he started a campaign of grooming.
04:46He was charged with offences including rape, false imprisonment, sexual activity with a child and sexual communications with a child.
04:53He was handed 17 years in prison and a sexual harm prevention order.
04:59An inquiry into the impact of the pandemic on care homes says that the government allowed COVID to spread like
05:05wildfire.
05:05Between March and mid-April 2020, about 25,000 hospital patients in England were discharged from hospitals into care homes.
05:13That lack of testing meant patients were discharged without knowing whether or not they had COVID-19.
05:18It concludes such advice provided little or no protection for the residents or the care workers.
05:24I spoke to Umbreen David of Favisham Care Home about this earlier.
05:30So today, the inquiry found that protecting the social care sector appeared to be a bit of an afterthought during
05:36the pandemic.
05:36Did you feel this was the case of someone who runs a care home here in Kent?
05:41I certainly did.
05:43My experience was that we certainly were.
05:47And the challenges that we faced were not unique to the rest of the country.
05:57However, we did feel that we weren't, we didn't have that protected ring that has been referred to.
06:06I do believe that that was a complete fallacy.
06:09The strain that care homes and social care sector were under during this time was immense.
06:17And at the time, you took the decision to refuse hospital admissions without confirmed COVID test results.
06:24Were you under any pressure just to do as the guidance said?
06:29We most definitely were.
06:30So what we were doing is we were following data and information that we were getting both in the UK,
06:40but also actually in Europe, too, who were experiencing similar challenges.
06:47But they were actually what was described as being ahead of the curve in terms of the impact that it
06:54was having to the social care sector.
06:57And so because of that, what we decided that we needed to do was, as we described it, was to
07:05cocoon Iden Manor.
07:07I had a very capable manager at the time.
07:11And the view that he held and I fully supported was that we needed to protect our residents and our
07:21staff in our care home.
07:22And bringing in patients from hospital to relieve NHS pressure wasn't the right thing for our care home because we
07:33risked bringing infection into the home.
07:36And having experienced that uncertainty firsthand, what do you think the government needs to do if there is, God forbid,
07:44a next time?
07:46I think that social care providers and those people who have got experience of social care should be involved in
07:57the decision making when guidance is published so that they can be part of those discussions.
08:04They didn't necessarily understand the impact that the guidance that the guidance that they were providing was having.
08:14An example of that was that at the time we were being advised that we should be socially distancing by
08:22two metres.
08:23How can you practically distance when you're having to provide and deliver personal care to residents?
08:32It's just not possible.
08:35Well, thank you so much for joining us and giving us your local insight there.
08:43The RSPCA have opened a new clinic in Midway and they vow to support pet owners on lower incomes or
08:48on benefits.
08:49They say they've seen more pet owners in the area putting their pets up for adoption due to being unable
08:55to care for them.
08:56Nayla Mohamed was there at the opening.
09:01This weekend saw the opening of a new refurbished RSPCA building in Midway.
09:07Once an animal rehoming centre, they say the need in the area is now in veterinary care.
09:12We have seen an increase in need for people that perhaps feel that they need to actually give up their
09:21animals due to a lack of income.
09:24Rescues are just full up.
09:26With us helping with the costs, we can then keep those animals at home in loving homes with loving owners.
09:35And that is the best place for them.
09:37In Midway, over 99,000 people claimed at least one type of benefit from the Department for Work and Pensions.
09:45That's over one third of the total population of the area.
09:48And with the number of animals up for adoption also on the rise, the RSPCA say the need for affordable
09:55veterinary care is becoming harder to ignore.
09:58This veterinary clinic is the only one across the entire county that offers support to those with lower income or
10:04those on benefits.
10:06And at the heart of its operations is the local community.
10:10The community is part of Midway and this clinic.
10:12You can see it for the people that have turned up or the people around the area showing how we
10:17can all just work together.
10:18It's not about being in competition with each other.
10:20It's just making sure that we can all provide the best for everyone as much as possible.
10:24The main funding and the main source that they get is actually from the community, from the fundraising that they
10:29do.
10:30So even today at the grand opening, they're still selling cakes and having a tombola.
10:35So it's all about raising as much money as possible.
10:37And that can only be done through the help of the public.
10:39Local residents, the police and even current users of this branch's services showed up to the opening,
10:45showing their support to a service that, in turn, supports them.
10:50They've done a good job.
10:51They've always have done.
10:53And opening up like what they have now, the new facilities and that, is going to be a godsend.
10:59Being an old age pensioner, it comes up, you know, at the cost of it.
11:04I've already lost one cat.
11:06There is another private vet, but it's expensive.
11:12And during the opening event itself, one local resident popped by, asking if vets could see their dog who is
11:18in pain.
11:19I thought this is the perfect place to come, literally across the road.
11:22So we've just popped over, seen some fantastic nurses, and they've managed to take the pain away.
11:28It's more than people that are just across the road, and it definitely is a place for the community.
11:32And with demand already at the door, this new centre could be exactly what the vet ordered.
11:38Naila Mohamed for KMTV in Wilderslade.
11:41Well, now it's time for a quick break, but don't go anywhere, because coming up we have plenty more stories
11:46coming your way.
11:47We'll be talking about a woman who ran through a field to escape her kidnappers, knowing one of them is
11:53terrified of farm animals.
11:54We'll also hear from a mother of a six-year-old girl who had Down syndrome about how inclusion is
11:59important in society.
12:00All that and more after this short break.
12:20ka331.cfiffman
12:20.com We'll see you
12:21soon. Thank you. We'll
12:32Bye. Bye. Bye.
12:32Bye.
16:07Basically, I just turned around and told him all my issues and it made him feel so much better in
16:10himself.
16:11Since then, about four days ago, he came to me in Canterbury bus station and said, thank you ever so
16:20much to me.
16:23And it may be that if it wasn't for me on the day, he may have turned around and had
16:31not been here today and he said thank you and he looked so much better in himself and it was
16:35absolutely amazing to see him.
16:37Well, it's not just in Canterbury.
16:38There's been there's been efforts to support those struggling with their mental health.
16:41A counsellor, a counsellor, a counsellor in Kennington has also fundraise to install a new bench in the area, which
16:46has contact details to a suicide prevention charity.
16:48It's part of a nationwide campaign.
16:50led by the charity, led by the charity, led by the charity, our reporter Sophie Denny went to its unveiling.
16:55Not simply a park bench. This latest seat in Ashford hopes to show people struggling with their mental health that
17:04support is available.
17:06And the bench has a personal meaning for counsellor Ellie Crook, who started fundraising for it after losing her close
17:13friend to suicide.
17:14At the beginning, I said, why don't we just dedicate the bench to her? And they were really supportive of
17:21it. So, yeah, so that's why we got a lovely little plaque there and all their family can come up
17:29and sit on the bench as well.
17:30Part of a nationwide campaign, this bench is the first of its kind here in Ashford. And the message is
17:38simple, that someone is always listening.
17:41And for people here in Kennington, they're hoping that the bench will encourage people to seek support if they need
17:48it.
17:48If it even just saves a life or many lives, that'd be lovely. Just, I'd say, it's been, if it
17:57can save one life, two lives, or even getting the support that they need, that'd be lovely.
18:04The bench has a plaque detailing various helplines where people can seek support and is the 21st installed here in
18:11Kent as part of the Legend on the Bench campaign.
18:15It's unveiling at Spear Point Pavilion was attended by members of the local community, as well as Ashford Borough Council's
18:22deputy mayor, who was widowed to suicide when she was 23.
18:27I don't want any family to go through what I went through as a young adult. Not only have you
18:36got the grief of losing somebody, but all the questions about the why, the investigations, the coroners, etc.
18:43It's an awful, awful experience for those nearest and dearest.
18:49To get the bench installed, Ellie raised £2,000, with councillor Dickon Spain also supporting the project with part of
18:57his member's grant.
18:58If this prevents somebody committing suicide, it'll have done its job, but I'm hoping, obviously, that it'll have a massive
19:05positive influence locally.
19:08But hats off to Ellie. She's done a fantastic, fantastic job.
19:12With plans for future benches already underway, Ashford's community say they're more than just somewhere to enjoy the view.
19:21Sophie Denny for KMTV in Kennington.
19:24And if you've been affected by any of the issues raised in this report, you can contact the Samaritans by
19:29calling the number on screen.
19:33Now, a Gravesend man, given just 12 months to live, has married his partner.
19:3832-year-old Brandon Glazier has battled tumours for more than a decade, undergoing multiple surgeries and radiotherapy.
19:45After receiving the prognosis six weeks ago, Brandon and his partner Rihanna brought their wedding forward, tying the knots at
19:51Knoll Country House in Higham on October 15th.
19:54Rihanna described Brandon as the love of her life and her very best friend, saying anyone who knows Brandon and
20:00has the pleasure to know him knows how special he truly is.
20:03The couple have since launched a GoFundMe to help them enjoy days out together without worrying about the costs, alongside
20:09their two young sons, 14-month-old Reggie and 4-year-old Hunter.
20:14A woman has recounted the moment she escaped her kidnapper by fleeing through an Ashford field, knowing one of them
20:21was afraid of sheep.
20:22Rosie Medhurst was lured into a car by Sasha Shields and her boyfriend, Daniel Lilly, you can see on screen,
20:28before being driven through the countryside at speeds of almost 90 miles per hour.
20:33The pair, both from Dover, were given suspended prison sentences at Canterbury Crown Court last week following the ordeal.
20:39The incident happened on August 11th last year when Rosie had planned to look after Shields' young daughter, but after
20:45being driven into the countryside against her will, Rosie spotted a field of sheep and seized her chance to escape.
20:52Well now it's time to take a quick look at the weather.
21:00Tonight we'll see cloudy skies all around the county, with the highest temperatures being in Margate and Medway at around
21:0610-11 degrees.
21:07It's a rainy start to the day for most of the county, as temperatures reach 12 degrees all across, with
21:12Dover peaking at 13 degrees.
21:14In the afternoon, the rains are expected to end towards the coast, while continuing in the western regions near Dartford
21:19and in Midway.
21:20And finally, temperatures are set to drop by Saturday, as drizzles turn into heavy showers from 15 to 13 degrees
21:26across that weekend.
21:36A mum whose child has Down syndrome says they're often excluded from birthday parties due to their condition.
21:42Anna Angel discovered her six-year-old daughter, Sophia, would likely have the genetic disorder during her 12-week pregnancy
21:48scan,
21:49and says a lack of inclusion is something the family deals with regularly.
21:53We heard from the mum earlier today.
21:55Every child with Down syndrome is different.
21:58There is no, like, one rule for all.
22:00They're all so different.
22:02You kind of compare the other child started walking, the other child started talking,
22:07and you're, like, thinking, my child is not doing that.
22:11Like, it's that kind of comparison, you know, that is not helpful,
22:15because we are all so individual, and it's no point comparing.
22:20But the inclusion is such an important part for children or people with Down, adults with Down syndrome as well.
22:28You know, everybody has a place, you know, in our world for, yeah, to be included and be part of
22:35the society.
22:47So, what are some of the things in the proposal which will improve the quality of life for people in
22:52Canterbury?
22:53So, they're going to be having new bus lanes to help out the build-up of traffic around Canterbury
23:00and around the city centre in general, where you have so many, only so many lanes and so many vehicles
23:08at once.
23:08You constantly have to switch off your engines.
23:10You constantly have to wait for buses to pick up passengers, drop passengers off and pass.
23:16And it's just a nightmare trying to get through the city all at once.
23:19So, the council is proposing new bus lanes in order to divert the traffic so that buses are on one
23:25side, cars are on the next,
23:27to, one, ease up the space when you're actually on the roads,
23:30but, two, to also have the buses get through the traffic quicker,
23:34because they wouldn't have to stop for cars and we wouldn't have to stop for the buses.
23:37What about those who don't use public transport? What is in the plan for them?
23:43For those who don't use public transport, if they're in a car driving,
23:47then we will also have parking spaces implemented so they're better aligned around the city,
23:53for example, near where Canterbury Cathedral is and all of the other tourist attraction places
23:59like Augustine's Abbey, Westgate Towers, who have also just been granted a UNESCO World Heritage status.
24:08Great. And away from the roads, are there any plans
24:11to kind of spruce the city up a bit?
24:14Yes, so they're planning to add a bit more greenery around
24:17and have it be more accessible to the public as well.
24:21They are also implementing new lighting, CCTV, drainage improvements
24:26to make the city feel more park-like and have it be safer and friendlier walkways just in general.
24:33Great. Thank you so much, Hayley.
24:35Have you ever wanted to relive your childhood?
24:38Well, One Kent Business is trying to make that a possibility, using old-fashioned trinkets to bring nostalgia to the
24:44people of Margate.
24:45After losing her mum, businesswoman Cherie had the urge to go back to her childhood passion of sourcing retro toys
24:51and accessories.
24:52Trainee journalist Ruby Tooley visited her at her very colourful shop on the Margate coast.
24:57Behind the colourful displays and quirky finds at Silly, a story that goes beyond vintage shopping.
25:03For owner Betty, collecting has been a passion since childhood.
25:07I'm here in Margate at Silly, a vintage trinket shop that has rapidly become a part of Margate's unique character.
25:15After losing her mum, Betty returned to that childhood passion, finding comfort in the world of vintage and retro treasures.
25:22That passion eventually inspired her to open Silly here in Margate.
25:26Actually, it all came about from quite a dark place.
25:31Like, my mum passed away back in March last year, a year ago in March, and I was really struggling
25:38to work.
25:39I was a content creator, a freelance business strategist, branding strategist, and I just couldn't work at all.
25:49I could barely get out of bed, and it was a really scary time.
25:53And I was writing in my journal, and I wrote, only something silly will save me.
25:58Now the shop offers customers the chance to discover something unusual, rediscover old memories, and find treasures of their own.
26:05I see Silly as a form of literal retail therapy.
26:10It is spending time with your inner child.
26:14It's giving space to memories that you thought were just, like, silly and unimportant.
26:20But actually, like, things hold so much.
26:23I either want Silly to make a memory or remind you of a memory.
26:28And, yeah, I feel like it just works all together very well.
26:32There is a bright future for Silly, with Cherie having hopes to reach out to more people dealing with grief
26:38through the joy of retro trinkets.
26:40It's Ruby Tooley reporting for KMTV.
26:44I don't think I've ever seen such an orange shop or a woman with so much orange going on in
26:49her outfit, but I absolutely loved it.
26:51But that's all the time we've got left for Kenta Night tonight.
26:53I'll see you very, very soon.
26:55Goodbye.
26:55Bye-bye.
26:56Bye-bye.
26:57Bye-bye.
26:58Bye-bye.
26:59Bye-bye.
27:09Bye-bye.
27:10Bye-bye.
27:10Bye-bye.
27:10Bye-bye.
27:10Bye-bye.
27:11Bye-bye.
27:12Bye-bye.
27:12Bye-bye.
27:12Bye-bye.
27:12Bye-bye.
27:13Bye-bye.